Adjustable steering column assembly

ABSTRACT

A steering column assembly includes a column jacket adjustable in at least one of a longitudinal direction along a longitudinal axis and a tilt direction transverse to the longitudinal axis. A locking mechanism is coupled to the column jacket and is moveable between a locking position and an adjustment position. A lever is pivotably mounted to the column jacket and pivotable between a neutral position and an actuated position. The lever engages a switch when in the actuated position. The switch engages an actuator to move the locking mechanism into the adjustment position when engaged by the lever in the actuated position, thereby permitting adjustment of the column jacket in at least one of the longitudinal direction and the tilt direction. When the lever is in the neutral position, the switch does not engage the actuator, and a spring urges the locking mechanism into the locking position, thereby preventing adjustment.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims priority to and is a U.S.Non-Provisional, divisional, patent application of U.S. Non-Provisionalpatent application Ser. No. 12/108,156 filed on Apr. 23, 2008, which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION/FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The subject invention relates to a steering column assembly for avehicle that is adjustable in at least one of a telescope directionalong a longitudinal axis and a tilt direction transverse to thelongitudinal axis.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The subject invention provides a steering column assembly for a vehicle.The steering column assembly comprises a column jacket. The columnjacket extends along a longitudinal axis. The column jacket isadjustable in at least one of a longitudinal direction along thelongitudinal axis and a tilt direction transverse to the longitudinalaxis. A locking mechanism is coupled to the column jacket and ismoveable between a locking position and an adjustment position. Thelocking position prevents adjustment of the column jacket in at leastone of the longitudinal direction and the tilt direction. The adjustmentposition permits adjustment of the column jacket in at least one of thelongitudinal direction and the tilt direction. An actuator is coupled tothe locking mechanism. The actuator moves the locking mechanism betweenthe locking position and the adjustment position. A switch is mounted tothe column jacket and coupled to the actuator. The switch includes afirst position energizing the actuator and a second positiondisconnecting the actuator. A lever is pivotably mounted to the columnjacket. The lever is pivotable about a pivot axis between a neutralposition and an actuated position. The neutral position engages theswitch in the second position to disconnect the actuator. The actuatedposition engages the switch in the first position to energize theactuator and move the actuator into the adjustment position, therebypermitting adjustment of the column jacket in at least one of thelongitudinal direction and the tilt direction.

Accordingly, the subject invention provides an adjustable steeringcolumn assembly having an electrically actuated locking mechanism thatis energized when the switch is engaged by a mechanical lever.Therefore, the steering column assembly of the subject inventionprovides a user with the impression and feel of a mechanically operatedlocking mechanism, but that requires less force to operate than anactual mechanically operated locking mechanism.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Adjustable steering column assemblies typically include a telescopicadjustment as well as a tilt adjustment to position a steering wheelrelative to a driver. The steering column assemblies include a lowerjacket telescopically engaged with an upper jacket. The upper jackettypically moves along a longitudinal axis relative to the lower jacket.A telescope locking mechanism interconnects the upper jacket and thelower jacket, and is moveable between a telescope locking position and atelescope adjustment position. The telescope locking position preventsthe longitudinal movement of the upper jacket relative to the lowerjacket. The telescope adjustment position permits the longitudinalmovement of the upper jacket relative to the lower jacket. The tiltadjustment may be achieved by any of several different configurations ofthe steering column assembly. Commonly, a tilt housing is pivotablymounted to the upper jacket. The tilt housing is pivotable about a tiltaxis, the tilt axis being transverse to the longitudinal axis. A tiltlocking mechanism interconnects the tilt housing and the upper jacket,and is moveable between a tilt locking position and a tilt adjustmentposition.

Currently, the telescope locking mechanisms and the tilt lockingmechanism of the adjustable steering column assemblies are eithermanually operated by a mechanical linkage or are electrically operatedby an electric motor controlled by a switch. An example of an adjustablesteering column assembly in which the locking mechanism are manuallycontrolled by a lever is disclosed in U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2006/0266152 A1 to Armstrong et al. the manuallycontrolled locking mechanisms require an excessive force to actuate,which may be difficult for some drivers. An example of an adjustablesteering column assembly in which the locking mechanisms areelectrically operated and controlled by a switch, typically disposed ina convenient location accessible to the driver of the vehicle, isdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,055,860 to Armstrong et al. Theelectrically operated locking mechanisms do not provide the immediatefeedback through the touch of the switch that the locking mechanism hasbeen disengaged.

The above features and advantages and other features and advantages ofthe invention are readily apparent from the following detaileddescription of the invention when taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features, advantages and details appear, by way of example only,in the following detailed description of embodiments, the detaileddescription referring to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross sectional view of a first embodiment of asteering column assembly;

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross sectional view of a second embodiment of thesteering column assembly; and

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross sectional view of a third embodiment of thesteering column assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate correspondingparts throughout the several views, a steering column assembly isgenerally shown at 20. The steering column assembly 20 is for a vehicle,and rotatably supports a steering wheel (not shown) as is well known.

Referring to FIG. 1, the steering column assembly 20 comprises a columnjacket 22. The column jacket 22 extends along a longitudinal axis 24.The column jacket 22 is adjustable in at least one of a longitudinaldirection along the longitudinal axis 24 and a tilt direction about atilt axis 26, transverse to the longitudinal axis 24. The column jacket22 includes a lower jacket 28 and an upper jacket 30. The upper jacket30 is telescopically engaged with and longitudinally moveable relativeto the lower jacket 28 along the longitudinal axis 24 to adjust thecolumn jacket 22 in the longitudinal direction. A tilt housing 32 ispivotably mounted to the upper jacket 30. The tilt housing 32 ispivotably moveable about the tilt axis 26 relative to the upper jacket30 to adjust the column jacket 22 in the tilt direction.

A locking mechanism 34, 36 is coupled to the column jacket 22. Thelocking mechanism 34, 36 is moveable between a locking position and anadjustment position. The locking position prevents adjustment of thecolumn jacket 22 in at least one of the longitudinal direction and thetilt direction. The adjustment position permits adjustment of the columnjacket 22 in at least one of the longitudinal direction and the tiltdirection.

Preferably, the locking mechanism 34, 36 includes a telescope lockingmechanism 34 and a tilt locking mechanism 36. It should be appreciatedthat each of the telescope locking mechanism 34 and the tilt lockingmechanism 36 are moveable between the locking position and theadjustment position. The locking position of the telescope lockingmechanism 34 prevents the longitudinal movement of the upper jacket 30relative to the lower jacket 28. The adjustment position of thetelescope locking mechanism 34 permits the longitudinal movement of theupper jacket 30 relative to the lower jacket 28. Likewise, the lockingposition of the tilt locking mechanism 36 prevents the movement of thetilt housing 32 in the tilt direction relative to the upper jacket 30,and the adjustment position of the tilt locking mechanism 36 permits themovement of the tilt housing 32 in the tilt direction relative to theupper jacket 30.

The telescope locking mechanism 34 includes a first telescope lockingmember 38. The first telescope locking member 38 includes teeth, and ismounted to the upper jacket 30. Accordingly, the upper jacket 30 and thefirst telescope locking member 38 are moveable relative to the lowerjacket 28. A second telescope locking member 40 is coupled to the lowerjacket 28. The second telescope locking member 40 also includes teeth.The teeth of the second telescope locking member 40 engage the teeth ofthe first telescope locking member 38 in interlocking engagement whenthe telescope locking mechanism 34 is in the locking position. The teethof the second telescope locking member 40 are disengaged from the teethof the first telescope locking member 38 when the telescope lockingmechanism 34 is in the adjustment position. Accordingly, the secondtelescope locking member 40 is moveable into and out of engagement withthe first telescope locking member 38. The second telescope lockingmember 40 may be coupled in any suitable manner to the lower jacket 28to move into and out of engagement with the first telescope lockingmember 38 mounted to the upper jacket 30.

The telescope locking mechanism 34 includes a telescope wedge 42. Thetelescope wedge 42 includes a telescope ramp 44. The telescope ramp 44engages the second telescope locking member 40. The second telescopelocking member 40 is moveable along the telescope ramp 44 relative tothe lower jacket 28, thereby moving the second telescope locking member40 into and out of interlocking engagement with the first telescopelocking member 38. It should be appreciated that as the second telescopelocking member 40 moves up the telescope ramp 44, the second telescopelocking member 40 moves closer to and into interlocking engagement withthe first telescope locking member 38. Similarly, as the secondtelescope locking member 40 moves down the telescope ramp 44, the secondtelescope locking member 40 moves farther from the first telescopelocking member 38 and out of interlocking engagement with the firsttelescope locking member 38.

The telescope locking mechanism 34 includes a telescope spring 46. Thetelescope spring 46 is coupled to the upper jacket 30 and also coupledto the telescope wedge 42. The telescope wedge 42 is moveable with thetelescope spring 46, i.e., as the telescope spring 46 expands orcontracts along a spring axis, the telescope wedge 42 moves with thetelescope spring 46 along the spring axis a distance equal to that ofthe telescope spring 46. The telescope spring 46 urges the secondtelescope locking member 40 along the telescope ramp 44 intointerlocking engagement with the first telescope locking member 38. Inother words, the telescope spring 46 pushes or biases against thetelescope wedge 42 to move the telescope wedge 42 relative to the secondtelescope locking member 40. In doing so, the second telescope lockingmember 40 moves up the ramp, into interlocking engagement with the firsttelescope locking member 38. Accordingly, the telescope spring 46provides a positive lock, i.e., the telescope spring 46 ensures that thetelescope locking mechanism 34 is always in the locking position, unlessthe user actively moves the telescope locking mechanism 34 into theadjustment position.

As described above, the tilt locking mechanism 36 interconnects the tilthousing 32 and the upper jacket 30. The locking position of the tiltlocking mechanism 36 prevents the pivotable movement of the tilt housing32 relative to the upper jacket 30. The adjustment position of the tiltlocking mechanism 36 permits the pivotable movement of the tilt housing32 relative to the upper jacket 30.

The tilt locking mechanism 36 includes a first tilt locking member 48.The first tilt locking member 48 includes teeth, and is fixedly mountedto the upper jacket 30. Accordingly, the tilt housing 32 moves or pivotsabout the tilt axis 26 relative to both the first tilt locking member 48and the upper jacket 30. A second tilt locking member 50 is coupled tothe tilt housing 32. The second tilt locking member 50 also includesteeth. The teeth of the second tilt locking member 50 engage the teethof the first tilt locking member 48 in interlocking engagement when thetilt locking mechanism 36 is in the locking position. The teeth of thesecond tilt locking member 50 are disengaged from the teeth of the firsttilt locking member 48 when the tilt locking mechanism 36 is in theadjustment position. Accordingly, the second tilt locking member 50 ismoveable into and out of engagement with the first tilt locking member48. The second tilt locking member 50 may be coupled to the tilt housing32 in any suitable manner to be pivotably moveable with the tilt housing32 about the tilt axis 26 and moveable relative to the tilt housing 32to move into and out of engagement with the first tilt locking member 48mounted to the upper jacket 30.

The tilt locking mechanism 36 includes a tilt wedge 52. The tilt wedge52 includes a tilt ramp 54. The tilt ramp 54 engages the second tiltlocking member 50. The second tilt locking member 50 is moveable alongthe tilt ramp 54 relative to the upper jacket 30, thereby moving thesecond tilt locking member 50 into and out of interlocking engagementwith the first tilt locking member 48. It should be appreciated that asthe second tilt locking member 50 moves up the tilt ramp 54, the secondtilt locking member 50 moves closer to and into interlocking engagementwith the first tilt locking member 48. Similarly, as the second tiltlocking member 50 moves down the tilt ramp 54, the second tilt lockingmember 50 moves farther from the first tilt locking member 48 and out ofinterlocking engagement with the first tilt locking member 48.

The tilt locking mechanism 36 includes a tilt spring 56. The tilt spring56 is coupled to the tilt housing 32 and also coupled to the tilt wedge52. The tilt wedge 52 is moveable with the tilt spring 56, i.e., as thetilt spring 56 expands or contracts along a spring axis, the tilt wedge52 moves with the tilt spring 56 along the spring axis a distance equalto that of the tilt spring 56. The tilt spring 56 urges the second tiltlocking member 50 along the tilt ramp 54 into interlocking engagementwith the first tilt locking member 48. In other words, the tilt spring56 pushes or biases against the tilt wedge 52 to move the tilt wedge 52relative to the second tilt locking member 50. In doing so, the secondtilt locking member 50 moves up the ramp, into interlocking engagementwith the first tilt locking member 48. Accordingly, the tilt spring 56provides a positive lock, i.e., the tilt spring 56 ensures that the tiltlocking mechanism 36 is always in the locking position, unless the useractively moves the tilt locking mechanism 36 into the adjustmentposition.

The steering column assembly 20 of the subject invention furthercomprises an actuator 58A. The actuator 58A is coupled to the lockingmechanism. The actuator 58A moves the locking mechanism between thelocking position and the adjustment position. As shown in the firstembodiment of the steering column assembly 20 in FIG. 1, the actuator58A is coupled to the telescope locking mechanism 34. More specifically,the actuator 58A is coupled to the telescope spring 46. The actuator 58Amay include a solenoid or some other similar device that includes an arm60 moveable along an axis from an initial position when energized. Whenenergized, the actuator 58A compresses the telescope spring 46. As thetelescope spring 46 is coupled to the telescope wedge 42, the telescopespring 46 moves the telescope wedge 42 as the telescope spring 46 iscompressed by the actuator 58A. As the telescope wedge 42 moves, thesecond telescope locking member 40 moves down the telescope ramp 44 outof engagement with the first telescope locking member 38, therebypermitting adjustment of the upper jacket 30 relative to the lowerjacket 28. When the actuator 58A is de-energized or disconnected, thearm 60 of the actuator 58A returns to the initial position, therebyallowing the telescope spring 46 to return to a fully expandedcondition. As the telescope wedge 42 is moveable with the telescopespring 46, the telescope wedge 42 moves relative to the second telescopelocking member 40, thereby driving the second telescope locking member40 up the telescope ramp 44 and into interlocking engagement with thefirst telescope locking member 38.

A switch 62A is mounted to the column jacket 22 and coupled to theactuator 58A. Preferably, the switch 62A is coupled to the actuator 58Aby electrical wiring to complete a circuit between the switch 62A andthe actuator 58A. However, it should be appreciated that the switch 62Amay be coupled to the actuator 58A in some other suitable manner, suchas by a wireless communication system or the like. The switch 62Aincludes a first position and a second position. The first positionenergizes the actuator 58A to compress the telescope spring 46 asdescribed above. The second position disconnects or de-energizes theactuator 58A, thereby permitting the telescope spring 46 to return tothe fully expanded condition.

A lever 64A is pivotably mounted to the column jacket 22. The lever 64Ais pivotable about a pivot axis between a neutral position and anactuated position. The neutral position of the lever 64A engages theswitch 62A in the second position, thereby disconnecting the actuator58A, i.e., not energizing the actuator 58A. The actuated position of thelever 64A engages the switch 62A in the first position, therebyenergizing the actuator 58A and moving the actuator 58A and thereby thetelescope locking mechanism 34 into the adjustment position to permitadjustment of the column jacket 22 in at least one of the longitudinaldirection and the tilt direction.

Preferably, the switch 62A includes a plunger 66 abutting the lever 64A.The plunger 66 is responsive to the pivotable movement of the lever 64Ato move the switch 62A between the first position and the secondposition. Accordingly, the plunger 66 moves with the lever 64A as thelever 64A rotates between the neutral position and the actuatedposition. As such, as the lever 64A is in the neutral position, theplunger 66 abuts the lever 64A and the switch 62A remains in the secondposition, i.e., the actuator 58A is de-energized or disconnected. Uponrotating the lever 64A about the pivot axis into the actuated position,the plunger 66 is depressed, thereby moving the switch 62A from thesecond position into the first position and energizing the actuator 58A.Upon releasing the lever 64A, the lever 64A returns to the neutralposition, with the plunger 66 moving with the lever 64A. As the plunger66 moves with the lever 64A back into the neutral position, the switch62A returns to the second position, thereby de-energizing ordisconnecting the actuator 58A.

A mechanical linkage 68 operatively interconnects the tilt lockingmechanism 36 and the lever 64A. The mechanical linkage 68 moves the tiltlocking mechanism 36 between the locking position and the adjustmentposition in response to movement, i.e., rotation about the pivot axis,of the lever 64A between the neutral position and the actuated position.Accordingly, as the lever 64A is rotated from the neutral position intothe actuated position, the mechanical linkage 68 compresses the tiltspring 56. As the tilt spring 56 is coupled to the tilt wedge 52, thetilt spring 56 moves the tilt wedge 52 as the tilt spring 56 iscompressed by the rotation of the lever 64A. As the tilt wedge 52 moves,the second tilt locking member 50 moves down the tilt ramp 54 out ofengagement with the first tilt locking member 48, thereby permittingadjustment of the tilt housing 32 relative to the upper jacket 30. Asthe lever 64A rotates from the actuated position into the neutralposition, the mechanical linkage 68 allows the tilt spring 56 to returnto a fully expanded condition. As the tilt wedge 52 is moveable with thetilt spring 56, the tilt wedge 52 moves relative to the second tiltlocking member 50, thereby driving the second tilt locking member 50 upthe tilt ramp 54 and into interlocking engagement with the first tiltlocking member 48.

The steering column assembly 20 is shown in FIG. 1 and described aboveto include the actuator 58A coupled to the telescope locking mechanism34, with the lever 64A and the switch 62A operable to electricallycontrol the telescope locking mechanism 34 and the lever 64A and themechanical linkage 68 mechanically operable to control the tilt lockingmechanism 36. However, it should be appreciated that the actuator 58Amay alternatively be coupled to the tilt locking mechanism 36, with thelever 64A and the switch 62A operable to electrically control the tiltlocking mechanism 36 and the lever 64A and the mechanical linkage 68mechanically operable to control the telescope locking mechanism 34. Itshould also be appreciated that the lever 64A, the switch 62A, and themechanical linkage 68 may be coupled to any part of the steering columnassembly 20, and are most preferably coupled and mounted to either thetilt housing 32 or the upper jacket 30.

Referring to FIG. 2, a second embodiment of the steering column assembly70 is shown. The second embodiment of the steering column assembly 70includes the actuator 58A, 58B including a tilt actuator 58B and atelescope actuator 58A. The tilt actuator 58B is coupled to the tiltlocking mechanism 36. The telescope actuator 58A is coupled to thetelescope locking mechanism 34. In the second embodiment of the steeringcolumn assembly 70, both the tilt locking mechanism 36 and the telescopelocking mechanism 34 are electrically controlled by rotation of thelever 64A between the neutral position and the actuated position, andthere is no mechanical linkage 68 interconnecting the lever 64A and oneof the tilt locking mechanism 36 and the telescope locking mechanism 34.The switch 62A includes a first circuit 72 coupled to the telescopeactuator 58A and a second circuit 74 coupled to the tilt actuator 58B.As described above, the switch 62A preferably includes electrical wiringinterconnecting the switch 62A and the tilt actuator 58B and thetelescope actuator 58A to complete the first circuit 72 and the secondcircuit 74. However, it should be appreciated that a wirelesscommunication system may alternatively be utilized to interconnect theswitch 62A with the tilt actuator 58B and the telescope actuator 58A tocomplete the first circuit 72 and the second circuit 74.

Referring to FIG. 3, a third embodiment of the steering column assembly76 is shown. The Third embodiment of the steering column assembly 76includes the actuator 58A, 58B including a tilt actuator 58B and atelescope actuator 58A. The tilt actuator 58B is coupled to the tiltlocking mechanism 36. The telescope actuator 58A is coupled to thetelescope locking mechanism 34. The lever 64A, 64B includes a telescopelever 64A and a tilt lever 64B. Both the telescope lever 64A and thetilt lever 64B include and are rotatable about their own respectivepivot axis between the neutral position and the actuated position, i.e.,the tilt lever 64B is rotatable about the pivot axis between the neutralposition and the actuated position and the telescope lever 64A isrotatable about the pivot axis between the neutral position and theactuate position. In the third embodiment of the steering columnassembly 76, the tilt locking mechanism 36 is electrically controlled byrotation of the tilt lever 64B between the neutral position and theactuated position of the tilt lever 64B. Likewise, the telescope lockingmechanism 34 is electrically controlled by rotation of the telescopelever 64A between the neutral position and the actuated position of thetelescope lever 64A. Therefore, there is no mechanical linkage 68interconnecting the lever 64A, 64B and one of the tilt locking mechanism36 and the telescope locking mechanism 34. Furthermore, the thirdembodiment of the steering column assembly 76 includes the switch 62A,62B having a telescope switch 62A and a tilt switch 62B. The telescopelever 64A is coupled to the telescope switch 62A and the tilt lever 64Bis coupled to the tilt switch 62B, with the telescope switch 62A coupledto the telescope actuator 58A and the tilt switch 62B coupled to thetilt actuator 58B. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that the thirdembodiment of the steering column assembly 76 includes two separateadjustment systems for individually locking and unlocking the tiltlocking mechanism 36 and the telescope locking mechanism 34.

Upon rotating the telescope lever 64A from the neutral position into theactuated position, the telescope switch 62A energizes the telescopeactuator SA. The telescope actuator 58A thereby compresses the telescopespring 46 when engaged by the telescope switch 62A to move the telescopewedge 42 relative to the second telescope locking member 40 to move thesecond telescope locking member 40 along the telescope ramp 44 into thetelescope adjustment position. As the tilt locking mechanism 36 is notconnected to or operatively controlled in any way by the telescope lever64A, the tilt locking mechanism 36 is not affected by rotation of thetelescope lever 64A. Similarly, upon rotation of the tilt lever 64B fromthe neutral position into the actuate position; the tilt switch 62Benergizes the tilt actuator 58B. The tilt actuator 58B therebycompresses the tilt spring 56 when engaged by the tilt switch 62B tomove the tilt wedge 52 relative to the second tilt locking member 50 tomove the second tilt locking member 50 along tilt ramp 54 into the tiltadjustment position. As the telescope locking mechanism 34 is notconnected to or operatively controlled in any way by the tilt lever 64B,the telescope locking mechanism 34 is not affected by rotation of thetilt lever 64B.

The features and operation of the tilt locking mechanism 36 and thetelescope locking mechanism 34 have been described above. However, itshould be appreciated that one of both of the tilt locking mechanism 36and the telescope locking mechanism 34 may include different types orconfigurations of locking mechanisms suitable for selectively lockingand unlocking the tilt housing 32 relative to the upper jacket 30 andthe upper jacket 30 relative to the lower jacket 28 respectively.Similarly, the construction of the column jacket 22 as described abovemay also vary, may include other possible configurations, orientationsand constructions of the upper jacket 30 and the lower jacket 28 and mayinclude the upper jacket 30 and the lower jacket 28 being pivotableabout the tilt axis 26.

The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is tobe understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to bein the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. As isnow apparent to those skilled in the art, many modifications andvariations of the present invention are possible in light of the aboveteachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope ofthe appended claims, wherein reference numerals are merely forconvenience and are not to be in any way limiting, the invention may bepracticed otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed is:
 1. A steering column assembly for a vehicle, saidassembly comprising: a column jacket extending along a longitudinal axisand adjustable in at least one of a longitudinal direction along saidlongitudinal axis and a tilt direction transverse to said longitudinalaxis; a locking mechanism is coupled to said column jacket and moveablebetween a locking position preventing adjustment of said column jacketin at least one of said longitudinal direction and said tilt directionand an adjustment position permitting adjustment of said column jacketin at least one of said longitudinal direction and said tilt direction;an actuator coupled to said locking mechanism for moving said lockingmechanism between said locking position and said adjustment position; aswitch mounted to said column jacket and coupled to said actuator andincluding a first position energizing said actuator and a secondposition disconnecting said actuator; and a lever pivotably mounted tosaid column jacket and pivotable about a pivot axis between a neutralposition engaging said switch in said second position to disconnect saidactuator and an actuated position engaging said switch in said firstposition to energize said actuator and move said actuator into saidadjustment position to permit adjustment of said column jacket in atleast one of said longitudinal direction and said tilt direction;wherein said column jacket includes a lower jacket and an upper jackettelescopically engaged with and longitudinally moveable relative to saidlower jacket along said longitudinal axis.
 2. An assembly as set forthin claim 1: wherein said locking mechanism includes a telescope lockingmechanism with said locking position preventing said longitudinalmovement of said upper jacket relative to said lower jacket and saidadjustment position permitting said longitudinal movement of said upperjacket relative to said lower jacket; further comprising a tilt housingpivotably mounted to said upper jacket and pivotably moveable about atilt axis relative to said upper jacket.
 3. An assembly as set forth inclaim 2 wherein said locking mechanism includes a tilt locking mechanisminterconnecting said tilt housing and said upper jacket with saidlocking position preventing said pivotable movement of said tilt housingrelative to said upper jacket and said adjustment position permittingsaid pivotable movement of said tilt housing relative to said upperjacket.
 4. An assembly as set forth in claim 1: wherein said lockingmechanism includes a telescope locking mechanism with said lockingposition preventing said longitudinal movement of said upper jacketrelative to said lower jacket and said adjustment position permittingsaid longitudinal movement of said upper jacket relative to said lowerjacket; wherein said telescope locking mechanism includes a firsttelescope locking member having teeth and mounted to said upper jacketand a second telescope locking member coupled to said lower jacket andhaving teeth engaging said teeth of said first telescope locking memberin interlocking engagement when in said locking position and disengagedfrom said teeth of said first telescope locking member when in saidadjustment position; wherein said telescope locking mechanism includes atelescope wedge having a telescope ramp engaging said second telescopelocking member with said second telescope locking member moveable alongsaid telescope ramp relative to said lower jacket to move said secondtelescope locking member into and out of interlocking engagement withsaid first telescope locking member; wherein said telescope lockingmechanism includes a telescope spring coupled to said telescope wedge tourge said second telescope locking member along said telescope ramp intointerlocking engagement with said first telescope locking member;wherein said actuator compresses said telescope spring when engaged bysaid switch to move said telescope wedge relative to said secondtelescope locking member to move said second telescope locking memberalong said telescope ramp into said telescope adjustment position;further comprising a linkage operatively interconnecting said tiltlocking mechanism and said lever for moving said tilt locking mechanismbetween said locking position and said adjustment position in responseto movement of said lever between said neutral position and saidactuated position.
 5. An assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein saidactuator includes a tilt actuator coupled to said tilt locking mechanismand a telescope actuator coupled to said telescope locking mechanism. 6.An assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said switch includes atelescope switch coupled to said telescope actuator and a tilt switchcoupled to said tilt actuator.
 7. An assembly as set forth in claim 6wherein said lever includes a telescope lever coupled to said telescopeswitch and a tilt lever coupled to said tilt switch.
 8. An assembly asset forth in claim 5 wherein said tilt locking mechanism includes afirst tilt locking member having teeth and mounted to said upper jacketand a second tilt locking member coupled to said tilt housing and havingteeth engaging said teeth of said first tilt locking member ininterlocking engagement when said tilt locking mechanism is in saidlocking position and disengaged from said teeth of said first tiltlocking member when said tilt locking mechanism is in said adjustmentposition.
 9. An assembly as set forth in claim 8: wherein said tiltlocking mechanism includes a tilt wedge having a tilt ramp engaging saidsecond tilt locking member with said second tilt locking member moveablealong said tilt ramp relative to said upper jacket to move said secondtilt locking member into and out of interlocking engagement with saidfirst tilt locking member; wherein said tilt locking mechanism includesa tilt spring coupled to said tilt wedge to urge said second tiltlocking member along said tilt ramp into interlocking engagement withsaid first tilt locking member; and wherein said tilt actuatorcompresses said tilt spring when engaged by said tilt switch to movesaid tilt wedge relative to said second tilt locking member to move saidsecond tilt locking member along tilt ramp into said tilt adjustmentposition.